Cotera compiled and published The Chicana Feminist (1977), a series of essays and speeches reflecting her experiences and observations of the dynamics of feminism within the Chicano/a Movement and of race within the American women's movement. Essays such as “Our Feminist Heritage” (1973) documented historical Mexican and Mexican American women activists to challenge the notion that feminism was foreign to Mexican American culture. Another essay, “Feminism as We See It” (1972), inspired by the difficulties she faced working with the largely white, middle-class Texas Women's Political Caucus, outlined the differences between Anglo feminists and Chicana feminists while also highlighting their similar political goals. Cotera's critical, politically astute, and often humorous commentary on the topics of feminism, gender roles, coalition politics, and public policy have been germane to contemporary Chicana feminist thought.

Read more: Martha Cotera Biography - (b. 1938), Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations http://www.jrank.org/cultures/pages/3... (less)